The twins are done with preschool for this school year. I wonder why preschool and college seem to be on the same academic schedule?!? I'm not entirely sure what our summer plans entail just yet (I'm totally open to suggestions!). For now I'm thinking we'll be making good use of the pool (and free childcare) at our health club.
Speaking of the pool, E&I have been taking swimming lessons for the past 2 months. They absolutely love it, and have gone from being afraid of the pool to swimming semi-independently.
Izzie still adores gymnastics. We moved her to a "real gym" in a neighboring suburb, and she wakes up every day asking whether it's Tuesday (gymnastics day) yet.
Elijah's been having a very hard time lately. He's started protesting bedtime by *screaming* every night for about an hour because he doesn't (ever) want to go to sleep. He's never been a fan of bedtime, but this is totally new behaviour (just in the past two weeks) and and it's been incredibly frustrating for me not to know how to help him (he does not tolerate back rubbing or having someone lie with him, but gets even more upset when we try to walk away). I've also been feeling a huge amount of guilt for getting annoyed with him when I know deep down there are bigger things going on with him.
On a more positive note, Elijah is in the process of being evaluated in several different areas. I'm very relieved to finally be getting some insight into the specific challenges he faces, to know that other people see that his behaviours are not "normal" and there are things that can be done to channel his energy and help regulate his emotions. He's an amazing kid, and I want so much to see him succeed. Hopefully some of the services we'll be receiving will set us on a better path.
5 comments:
Love your new header and where can I find me some black boots like E's? :) Hot.
T is often our bed time screamer and it comes off and on. He's so into me it's a little over the top. It's amazing how many stages they weave in and out of; it's always something new. I never realized what tremendous deep issues babies, toddlers, and preschoolers deal with. The world is a heavy place, for sure!
I'm loving right now though because it's like we're in the eye of the storm. Everybody is so easy and laid back right now and not very stubborn or naughty. Oops! I probably just jinxed it!
Good luck with E. He's obvioulsy a brilliant kid. I don't know what his challenges are, but if he can focus them with help (and I'm a huge fan of intervention and professional help), watch out world! :)
I'm always amazed (and shouldn't be, as it should be assumed) of how amazing of a mother you are.
Also, on a somewhat related note to the end of the post:
The research lab I'm working in is looking at children with mood disorders. So it may not completely relatable given the possible ADHD diagnosis- Although there is some comorbidity. Which is what we are looking at. But I digress.- One thing I have picked up on is the importance of intervention and finding ways to control/manage.
Also, making it clear to E that his symptoms (of whatever the diagnosis may be) do not define him. Instead, he needs to understand them so that he can find ways to cope and control them.
On a personal level, I think getting him into physical activity is a great idea! I found that when I'm running every day and/or biking my ADD is much more manageable. I didn't have to take as much medication and I felt less drug-fog.
A related story: (http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-12-21050-1,00.html)
hey girl, i've been so busy i'm out of the loop and missing you. finally school is done and i can catch up on blog news. so sorry bedtime is hard. i've certainly been there... but a lot of times it's 3 hours after bedtime that one of my kids wakes up and screams and won't go back to sleep. it is hands-down the most frustrating part of my day b/c i'm so tired and all i want to do is get some sleep myself. i assume your impatience with e comes from wanting to be "done" at the end of each day--and with bedtime getting pushed back and it taking all the patience you can muster, you're not at your best. it can be so challenging after a long day as mom to have a kid that needs so much extra attention in the evenings, too. sounds like you're doing an amazing job. i look forward to any insights you glean from the evaluations.
WARNING on 6/8: It is time for you to do a blogpost again. Every 24 hour period you go without a post means one more unflattering NYC photo of you to be displayed on the WWW.
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